FODC Watershed Recognized
Morgantown Dominion Post
26 November 2011
The Friends of Deckers Creek (FODC) has been named one of two
state Watershed Associations of the Year for 2011. They share the
honor with the Coal River Group.
The awards were presented by the West Virginia Watershed Network
for their efforts in protecting and restoring local watersheds.
The presentations were made at the Nov. 5 Watershed Celebration
Day.
The two were named to the group’s highest honor because they have
shown outstanding progress that has contributed greatly to
watershed restoration efforts.
FODC has a growing membership of 391 and a volunteer and outreach
mailing base of nearly 1,700. Financial and in-kind support
provided by the community not only provides the funding FODC
needs, but also finances community events, environmental education
efforts and its long-standing water chemistry and biological
community monitoring program.
This year’s activities include the annual Spring Meltdown, the
2011 Deckers Creek Adventure Race, completion of the State of the
Creek Report, a study of sediment pollution and an assessment of
stream health.
The Youth Advisory Board (YAB) and FODC used the Outdoor Learning
Park for an AMD & Art Workshop and a Water & Wildlife
Workshop. The YAB has designed and planted a community stewardship
garden, and hosted benthic workshops with summer programs and
local schools.
FODC secured partners and funding to install two lime dosers on
the headwaters of Kanes Creek to protect more than two miles of
stream and help restore an 8.5 acre impoundment to support fish
and different kinds of recreation.